That’s how you make a statement.
After two straight wins that hinted at progress, the Raptors didn’t just continue their momentum — they cemented it, routing the Milwaukee Bucks 128–100 on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 23 points, leading a balanced attack that saw six Raptors finish in double figures. Immanuel Quickley and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 15 apiece, Gradey Dick had 14, and Brandon Ingram chipped in 13 as Toronto delivered its most complete performance of the season.
This was no grind-it-out win — it was dominance, wire to wire. The Raptors controlled the pace, punished Milwaukee in transition, and played the kind of connected, energetic basketball that defines good teams. It was their biggest win margin of the season, surpassing the 20-point victory in Atlanta on opening night.
For all the offensive fireworks, the defining moment came in the second quarter when Scottie Barnes left the game with a left thumb injury. It could’ve derailed everything — the kind of moment that turns energy into anxiety. But Barnes came back to start the second half, thumb taped, unfazed, and determined. He finished with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting, 3-for-5 from deep, and five assists.
That’s leadership. That’s the kind of toughness that sets the tone.
Jakob Poeltl also returned after missing three games with a sore back, adding eight points and nine rebounds in 20 steady minutes. His presence helped anchor a defense that held the Bucks to just 11-for-38 shooting from three — their worst perimeter showing of the season.
Yes, the Bucks were coming off a road back-to-back and didn’t look sharp, but that doesn’t change the message Toronto sent. This wasn’t about catching a tired opponent — it was about proving what they can do against a contender. And boy, did they ever.
This group is starting to look like what Darko Rajaković envisioned: fast, fearless, and unselfish. The ball is moving. The defense is swarming. And most importantly, there’s belief again. Barrett’s confidence, Ingram’s control, and Barnes’ all-around brilliance are beginning to blend into something that looks sustainable.
Three straight wins. Three games where effort and execution have met in perfect balance.
This win wasn’t just about beating the Bucks. For the first time in a long time, the Raptors look like a team that knows who they are and where they’re headed. The challenge now is simple: keep walking that path.
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